Steering mechanism for motor-driven tractors or trucks



S. K. PRESCOTT.

STEERING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR DRIVEN TRACTORS 0R TRUCKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, I920.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

SUMNER inrnnscorr, oF- SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

srrnname MEc ANIsM FOR MOTOR-DRIVEN TnAo'roBsoR mm.

vTo aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SUMNER K. PRESCOTT, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Seattle, county of King, and

- State of l/Vashington have invented certain new and useful Improvements in" Steering Mechanism for Motor-Driven Tractorsjor' Trucks, of which the following is a specifica tion. o

This invention relates to improvements in steering mechanism for motor driven trac- 'tors or trucks, and more particularly to mechanism wherein the steering post terminates forwardly of the steering knuckle connecting rod as distlnguished from mechanism of this character wherein the post terminates rearwardly' thereof. I

In the building of trucks of the character to which the present steering mechanism is applied, itis desirable, in order to provide a compact arrangement of parts, to locate the steering post as far forward as is possible,

. and as a consequence, this necessitates a different steering connection than is ordinarily used.

It'is therefore the object of the invention to provide a steering connection which will function in the same manner as does the ordinary automobile steering mechanism and which, at the same time, is made with a steering post considerably in advance of the wheels that are controlled thereby.

In accomplishing this object I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side view of a truck equipped with steering mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the steering parts as connected to the steering wheels and vehicle frame.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- 1 and 2 designate the longitudinal side beams of a truck frame, 3 the front axle and ,4 the front, steerable wheels of the truck; the latter being mounted on the spindles of steering knuckles 5, pivotally mounted, in the usual manner, on vertical pins 7 in the yokes 8 at-the oppositeends of the axle.

Steering arms 9 extend forwardly and slightly outwardly from the knuckles and at Specification of Letters Patent. Applieation filed Marchea 1920. Serial No.

their forward ends are connected by a rod 10, which retains the wheels on steerable alinement.

The steering post 12, mounted at one side tented ov. 23,1920.

ofthe vehicle, has the usual crank arm 13] j at the lower end, which is actuatedthrough turning of thesteering wheel 14, and this crank arm is connected bynieansof a rod 15 with the forward end of afrocker lever 16- that is pivotally mountedat its-center by means of a' bracket 17 secured to the frame rail 2. The rearward end' of the lever 16 is connected by means of a, radius'rod 18 with the cross rod 10, so that: rocking of this lever 16 will control the steering of the wheels 3.

All of the connections between the ro'dsl5 and 18 with the arm 13 and lever 16 are made through balland socket connections, as indicated by 20, so as to permit the movement Y necessary to proper operationof the parts. -With this connection it is apparent/that turning of the steering wheel 14fwill actuate the arm 13 to move the lever 16 and the latter will. shift the rod10 longitudinally to move the wheels 4 accordingly. 1

Such an arrangement permits the steering post to be located considerably farther for-,

ward with respect to the steering-wheels than rangement is accomplished for the purpose for which the presentvehicle is intended."

What I claim as newand by Letters Patent, is: H I The combination in a vehicle of the character described, comprising a front axle,-

desire to protect steerable spindles at the ends of said axles,

wheels'on said spindles, arod connecting said spindles and a steering post hav ng a steering arm forwardly of the said axle, of a bracket,

secured at the side of the vehicle frame opposite the steering post and forwardly of the axle, a rocker lever pivoted at its center in said bracket, a'rod connected pivotally at its opposite ends to the forward end offsaid lever and to the steering post arm rod pivotally connected at one end to the rearward end of said lever, extending toward the pivotally g rod.

Washington, this 5th is ordinarily possible and a 'desirable a Y 

